• UFC 144

Frankie Edgar 'scared' of Henderson ahead of UFC 144

ESPN staff
February 20, 2012
Frankie Edgar v Ben Henderson

Frankie Edgar admits he will be scared of Ben Henderson when the pair contest the lightweight title at UFC 144 this weekend.

Edgar, the reigning champion, still finds himself with a point to prove at the peak of the lightweight mountain. He has defended his title against BJ Penn and Gray Maynard but still questions remain over his lack of size at 155lbs.

Certainly Henderson will have a size advantage when the pair collide. Both men are excellent wrestlers, while Edgar's boxing style will make an intriguing match for Henderson's more unpredictable striking game.

The champion admits he likes to build his opponents into unbeatable monsters so that he is inspired to upset the odds, but he warned Henderson that only one man will walk away with the belt in Japan.

"Being the champ means everything, I'm not in this to play second fiddle to anybody," Edgar said. "The belt's not the significant thing, it's what it stands for, and how much work me and my team have put in for it. I'm not going to give it up easily.

"[Henderson's] a great athlete, a big 155-pounder, he's got a lot of skills, he can submit, he's got a strong wrestling base, he's a unique striker.

"I don't give my opponents any weakness; I want them on a pedestal. If I'm scared of my opponent that'll motivate me to win.

"When I leave Japan, I'll still be the champion."

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